Sometimes first impressions are lasting, but this is not always the case. Ford has created a stylish first-impression Focus model with a new Zetec S badge to give the car a sporty look. This Ford Zetec S has plenty of head-turning features, including different alloy wheels, darkened rear windows and bright red brake calipers. You instantly get the impression that this car is a little different.

Do the styling touches make a difference though? That's what I wanted to experience when I took the Focus Zetec S on the road recently. The car feels that it wants to be lively, but with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine under the bonnet, its ambitions are not entirely met.

The basic Ford Focus is a good car and this 1.6-litre turbo-diesel is a great engine: solid, economical and reliable. It's when the car and its transmission attempt to be something else that the first impressions, based on the visual image of the car, start to change.

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In every sense, I liked the driving feel and comfort of the Focus Zetec S. The engine performance at 95bhp is adequate for the car, delivering good economy.

The official economy figure is really impressive at 22.2km/litre (4.5l/100km or 63 mpg) and I achieved a slightly poorer figure, but not by much. So, it is possible, with careful driving, to achieve economy levels close to that mark over longer journeys.

But you just don't do it with the excitement that the styling of the car generates. What it boils down to is: what is your driving ambition? Do you want to be seen in something flash and sporty and underneath be thrifty? Or is it a case that power and pace are important and not economy?

The extra features on the Zetec S include body styling kit, 17" premium 5x2 spoke wheels with red brake calipers, rear privacy glass, Bluetooth voice control with USB connectivity and velour floor mats. The price difference between this car and the well specified entry model is about €2,500 (£1,800 in Northern Ireland) and that's the bit that I'm struggling to justify. Why pay €26,527 when you can get a very impressive car that has modern styling in its own right for €24,135? The basic Focus Edge model with the same engine is already a very fine car. It's competitively priced, has a high level of safety equipment and all it's missing is Bluetooth control, which is probably not the most expensive extra.

The entry-level Focus also comes with stability protection (ESP) with traction assist, Ford intelligent protection system, body colour bumpers, mirrors and spoiler for the five-door model, electric front windows, power door mirrors, remote central locking with flip key, stereo radio/CD with USB connectivity and capless refuelling.

This all makes it hard to justify the Zetec S when the base car comes with the same engine and looks and drives so well.

That's always the problem with choices; sometimes less is more and that's my impression of the Focus Zetec S.